Charles a



o.YA.gL. TDTTEN. Game Apparatus.

Patented M ay 25, |880.

El 2,7, I i al 2:15.` Y ffii K y I 'nftnessesA .Im/enten @MD 4M uw. am. XM@ y i UNITED STATES PATENT GEErcE.

CHARLES A. L. TOTTEN, OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

GAM E APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. l22'7,931, dated May 25, 1880. Application led September 22, 1879.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, GHAaLEs A. L. To'rTEN, of the United States Army, have invented oertain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus for the Playing of Military and other Games and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and-explicit description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Figure l represents a game-block. Fig. 2 shows a similar block with different delineations. Fig. 3 shows two blocks, a section of ariver being displayed upon one side of each. Fig. 4 contains several counters or small gamepieces. Fig. 5 represents a slated game-board. Fig. 6 represents a block tactically depicted.

My invention relates to game blocks and boards for the use of the players in avariety of games, and especially for the use ofinstructors and private students in obtaining graphic illustration of text-books and authorities upon various topics-such, for instance, as those upon the military art and science.

It consists, essentially, in providing the blocks, pieces, and counters with one or more prepared surfaces, slated or silicated or similarly prepared, upon which any desirable device may be temporarily depicted. For instance, in the study of grand tactics and strategy, the blocks I have invented have permanent topographical symbols, such as rivers, swamps, and woods upon one face, and upon the other a slated surface to receive such delineations and symbols as the student himself may find necessary with a view to extending the capacity of the outt so as to cover special cases. Again, very frequently, when using blocks and dummies variously depicted for the illustration of such asubject as military tactics, it becomes necessary to have additional.

blocks to represent officers and formations that are not contained in the outt or that, in the study under consideration, have become exhausted. In such eases, with blocks and counters such as I have invented, the want can be readily supplied by turning some of the surplus pieces over andl sketching. suitable symbols upon the prepared surfaces. enabled to improvise gamematerial, and, of

course, double the capacity of the outfit. Such We are thusv blocks will lend themselves to the universal illustration of text-books and afford a valuable adjunct to their study.

Suppose we find a diagram in a book representing the proper way an army should be drawn up, having a village on its right., a stream on its left, and in the centerof its position a strong commanding height. It is readily to be understood that by selecting from our outfit blocks representing these general features we may rapidly lay out upon a table the main features, and then acquire a more lasting impression ofthe principles involved in such a diagram. The same illustration would have been asl readily spread out if no diagram had existed in the book, for in thatcase we would follow the text, using suitable pieces where they were in the outfit, and improvising them upon the slated surfaces where they were not.

Such blocks may be employed upon and in combination with the slated game-board, which, in turn, may receive unlimited illustrations. When it is desirable to represent bodies of troops in strategical relations with topographical conditions the proper pieces at hand or improvised may be arranged in order, and the slated sides of others turned up and properly designated with colored crayons, so as to distinguish among infantry, cavalry, and artillery, and also between two hostile armies. These pieces may also be cut to suitable scales torepresent tactical bodies.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, in Fig. 1, A A' shows one of my blocks. A is one face, and A the reverse. The side A has the topographical grass-symbol printed permanently thereon. The other side, A', is slated and ready to receive any device or symbol. In Fig. 2, B B shows a similar block, the face B representing a swamp, and Bl` being slated. In Fig. 3, G C and D D show two blocks, each having a section of a river. The sections may be spliced together to make the rivercontinuous. Theoppositesides,CandD, are slated. These blocks may be cut to scales, so1 as to lend themselves to tactical formations. Thus, with the slated sides C and DJ turned up, these two pieces may represent ranks of four men, platoons, companies.

In Fig. 4, E E', F F', and G G represent other forms of such blocks or counters, E hav- IOO ing a permanent rst lieutenants shoulder- 4strap upon it; G, the cap-ornament of a staif officer. E and G are slated, and both faces of F and F are slated. v

In Fig. 5, H IJ K shows a game-board, onehalf, H I ML, ruled with squares or other figures. L M J K shows hoW the board would look if there were no rulings upon it, which Will sometimes be the case.

N in Fig. 6 represents a battery of six guns, O in same ligure representing its caissons.

Former devices for playing gaines and illustrating militaryT and similar subjects, such as blocks, counters, and pieces, have almost always had a right and a wrong side, the right side having some distinguishing device permanentlyput upon it, and the Wrong side heilig without value and generally rough, or, if utilized at all, then only to be as unalterably designated as the right side.

Now, in my invention, while I intend generally to utilize every side of a block, I do not intend to have them each marked with permanent devices. I finish off at least one face with slating, and in some cases all sides, and upon these faces the player may make such delineations as he Wishes.

In the military game which I have invented I may also employ small metallic blocks, preferably of lead, representing bodies oftroops, upon the slated board, Which may or may not be used in connection with the slated blocks in playing games. l

I may also employ such blocks and pieces in the study of historical battles, the map being rudely sketched upon slated board or a piece of slated cloth.

I do not lay claim to any particular prepared surface, (slating, silicating, &c.,) but simply to the application of such surfaces to game blocks and boards separately and conibined, by the invention of which the application of an outfit is made very comprehensive. I do not limit the number of faces of such blocks, nor the number of such faces which shall be prepared With slating.

I claiml. rIhe combined apparatus for military and other games, consisting of gaine-blocks topographically and tactically depicted upon one side and slated upon the others, and blocks or pieces slated upon one or all sides, and a slated game-board, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

2. In combination with the slated game board, the blocks or pieces having a slated surface for temporary depiction, as and for the purposes described.

3; A set of game-blocks, counters, or pieces having upon one or more sides a surface-coating prepared to receive temporary illustrations, and on other sides a surface provided with permanent symbols, substantially as and for the purposes described.

CHARLES A. L. TOTIEN.

Witnesses:

FRANK G. SMITH, J. H. BLOOD. 

